Isao Aoki

Was introduced to golf as a caddie at the Abiko GC while attending Abiko Junior High School...Earned the nickname "Tower" after the Tokyo Tower, because of his height (6 feet) . . . Uses an unorthodox putting stroke, but considers that to be the strongest part of his game. Elected on the International ballot in 2004, Aoki became the second Japanese member of the Hall of Fame. Capturing 73 career victories, including 56 on his home circuit in Japan, Aoki is the only Japanese player to have won on six different tours: PGA Tour, Champions Tour and PGA Tour of Australasia. Aoki was Japan's leading money winner five times and his 1983 Hawaiian Open victory - secured when holed a 128-yard wedge shot for eagle-3 on the final hole - was the first PGA Tour win by a Japanese player. Aoki finished second at the 1980 U.S. Open and is a four- time winner of the Japan Senior Open: 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997. Since joining the Champions Tour in 1992 he won nine times. Aoki is the only player from Japan to win on all four Tours, U.S., European, Australian and Japanese and was the first and at this time the only Japanese player to win on both the PGA and Champions Tours.